What does it mean to be 10-free?

With the current health concerns circulating, the last thing you need to worry about is the safety of your nail polish.

Conventional nail polishes can contain toxins and allergens that when applied can cause irritation or sickness. The nail plate is made of a porous protein called keratin, and anything painted onto it can be absorbed into the body. That means it really matters what you choose to paint on your nails.

When you tackle your at-home manicure or pedicure, make sure you are using treatments and colors that are safe. With côte, you can be confident that 10 of the worst offending ingredients won’t be in there. You get all the long-lasting wear and shine without the long list of harsh, toxic ingredients. But what does that really mean?

1. What makes a nail polish "natural"/non-toxic?
Every ingredient in a nail polish formula serves a purpose. Whether it's a hardener, film former, UV absorber or colorant, each item is there to do a job in creating a lasting, wearable polish. In order to make our polishes "non-toxic" we take out ingredients that are deemed toxins or allergens, and replace them with safe ingredients that will act in the same purpose. So why doesn't every nail brand do this? These alternate ingredients can often be a bit pricier or harder to source, thus making them less of a priority for some brands.

2. Why was it important to you to make cote polishes 10-free?
Côte is actually a 10-FREE brand, meaning we have replaced 10 ingredients deemed harmful or dangerous. We take on the effort and expense to make these changes because we CARE about what goes into our bodies. Most people do not realize that the nail plate is actually made of a very porous protein called keratin. Because your nail plate is not a barrier, whatever is painted on it will soak into your body, entering your bloodstream and nervous system. Once you know these facts about nail structure, we think you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who DOESN'T think 10-FREE is important.

3. What are the benefits of 10-free polishes?
The #1 benefit of our 10-FREE polish is everything you DON'T absorb when wearing it!

4. What makes non-10-free polishes bad for you/nails?
Here is a list of the 10 toxic ingredients that we exclude from our products, and what potentially bad effects they can have on you. Inclusion of any of these can be a serious health hazard, which is every reason to stay clear of polishes that are not toxin-free.

NO formaldehyde.... Classified as a known carcinogen, formaldehyde is often used as a preservative, nail hardener and strengthener in conventional polishes.

NO toluene.... Included in some polishes as a solvent to smooth application, is has been linked to impaired human reproduction and development, impaired breathing, being harmful to the nervous system and nausea.

NO dibutyl phthalate (DBT)... .Shown to affect the reproductive system and linked to cancer, DBP has been used as plasticizer and solvent to increase wear.

NO formaldehyde resin.... A derivative of formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin is often used as a hardener and in large doses can be a skin allergen.

NO camphor.... Added to some polishes for high-shine, camphor can cause allergic reactions in large doses, cause irritation, dizziness, nausea, and headaches.

NO triphenyl phosphate (TPHP).... Also known as TPP, research suggests it causes changes in hormone regulation, metabolism, and reproductive systems. It has been used in polish as a plasticizer which makes the polish flexible yet durable.

NO xylene.... Used by some brands to help polish from getting gloppy, xylene is also a known allergen and a possible carcinogen.

NO ethyl tosylamide/epoxy resin.... This ingredient has antibiotic properties which raises concern over antibiotic resistance. It can be used as a plasticizer to help polishes dry faster.

NO parabens.... Used as preservatives, parabens get a bad rep for having estrogen-mimicking effects which may trigger hormonal problems.

NO gluten.... Hydrolyzed wheat protein, while considered nontoxic by some, does pose potentially serious issues for those who are gluten intolerant. Used to help moisturize soft, brittle nails, it presents an allergy concern.

Explore our world of color with over 120 different shades and treatments all made cruelty free with the highest quality vegan products to produce the safest toxin-free nail polish available – guilt free!